SPRINGFIELD- Illinois taxpayers are unable to see if state agencies pay their bills in a timely manner. This will soon change, thanks to the support of State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood).

Bertino-Tarrant joined her colleagues in the Illinois State Senate to override Governor Rauner’s veto of House Bill 3649, which requires state agencies to provide a more accurate accounting of bills and late payment interest penalties accruing.

“Illinois businesses cannot continue to serve as lenders to state agencies,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “During these tough financial times, we need to promote a transparent and open financial picture to better manage taxpayer dollars.”

Currently, state law requires that on October 1 agencies report the annual aggregate amount of pending unpaid bills that were being held as of June 30. The comptroller’s office then publishes the outdated information on their website.

Bertino-Tarrant believes real-time reporting will allow state agencies, financial officers and the Illinois General Assembly to make better financial decisions. The state’s unprecedented fiscal challenges require a full weighing of outstanding vouchers and the ramifications of an increasing unpaid bill backlog.

House Bill 3649 will require state agencies to report the amount of unpaid bills, whether that amount was appropriated or not, and an estimate of interest penalties accumulated on a monthly basis.

“Financial transparency will promote responsible and accurate use of vital taxpayer dollars,” said Bertino-Tarrant. “This new bipartisan law will require the state to partake in good accounting practices. We have a responsibility to taxpayers in our communities to use each state dollar sensibly. This measure is long overdue.”